Chapter 32
Chapter 32
Janie leisurely took a sip of her coffee. “What? That sounds absurd. Have you forgotten how I left? I don’t want to get involved in your family drama. Can’t you just pretend I don’t exist?”
Ryan and Ethan fell silent.
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After a moment, Ethan finally spoke, “We didn’t handle things well back then, but we’re family. Why dwell on it? We all made mistakes, and so many years have passed…”
Janie interrupted, “In those eighteen years and the last five, I’ve gotten used to life without you, and I don’t want you in my life anymore. I don’t want to complicate things or get caught up in your family drarna.”
Ryan pleaded, “But we’re family!”
Janie replied coolly, “I don’t feel that way. I tried to accept you because of our blood ties, but that was a mistake. Blood doesn’t matter. You and Xena aren’t related, yet you’re still close siblings, right?”
Seeing they were about to argue again, Janie said firmly, “I’ve said enough. The bottom line is: I have my own family, and I don’t want to force anything. Let’s just act like strangers. You live your lives, and I’ll live mine. Let’s not disturb each other.
She stood up to leave.
At that moment, Ryan asked, “Who’s your family? Jackson?”
Jackson shot him a cold look.
Janie replied without hesitation, “Yes.”
Jackson’s face lit up with a smile.
Ryan gritted his teeth. “You don’t even share blood. How can you be sure he has good intentions?”
Jackson’s smile vanished instantly, and he exploded, “What did you just say?”
Ethan met his gaze. “You and Janie aren’t related. As her brothers, we have to worry about your intentions…”
In a flash, Jackson’s rage erupted, and both Ethan and Ryan were slammed against the wall.
Janie raised an eyebrow, realizing that those kicks weren’t light, but Jackson had held back his strength; otherwise, they wouldn’t have been able to get up.
Ethan and Ryan were in shock, feeling more embarrassed than hurt. “What are you doing? Hiss!”
Jackson let out a cold laugh. “You want to keep this up?”
Getting beaten up in front of Janie was incredibly humiliating for them.
“Janie, aren’t you going to do anything?” they asked.
Janie shrugged. “Am I supposed to give Jackson a pat on the back right now? That seems a bit much, don’t y
think?”
Ethan and Ryan were speechless.
“If you want to fight back, now’s your chance,” she continued.
Jackson shot a sorrowful look at Janie.
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Chapter 32
Janie feigned innocence, knowing they were bound to lose.
Jackson added, Janie and I are innocent here. If you keep talking like that, things won’t stay so easy.”
Ethan and Ryan, still struggling to rise, felt a wave of frustration.
“Go ahead and call the cops if you want,” Jackson said again.
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They gritted their teeth. “Janie, we’re not trying to question you. It’s just that you’re so young and beautiful, and we’re a little concerned.”
Janie recognized they meant no real harm.
She always knew Ethan and Ryan had some humanity in them and feelings for her.
Otherwise, Jackson wouldn’t have gone easy on them.
Janie looked at them. “Is that so? You and Xena aren’t related by blood either. You treat her so well–do you have some secret connection?”
Ryan and Ethan were furious, shouting back, “How can you say that? We’re siblings with Xena!”
Janie laughed coldly. “Oh, so you have double standards. My family and I are completely innocent, and you have no right to judge. Honestly, we’re not close at all; we’ve only spent two days together. And we can treat each other like strangers
Janie turned to Jackson. “By the way, why don’t you give them some medical expenses?”
Jackson suddenly looked enlightened. “Oh, right!”
He pulled out a wad of cash and tossed it to Ethan and Ryan. “Take your time getting up and I’m leaving.”
Janie and Jackson left without looking back
now.”
Ryan and Ethan, red–faced and staring blankly at Janie as she walked away, couldn’t help but feel that she seemed to leave without any attachment, just like she had five years ago.
Back then, they thought she was just upset, only to lose touch for five whole years, disappearing without a trace.
They shouted in unison, “Janie!”
But she didn’t stop and quickly disappeared from their sight.
